Diego Simeone, the manager of Atletico Madrid, has expressed his unwavering belief in his team’s ability to turn around their Champions League round-of-16 tie with Inter Milan. Despite this positivity, he also acknowledged that their recent poor form has had a negative impact on their performance. Simeone emphasized that football is unforgiving when it comes to mistakes, highlighting the importance of maintaining consistency and avoiding errors on the field.
Atletico Madrid suffered a 1-0 defeat in Milan against Inter on February 20, with Marko Arnautovic scoring a late winner. This loss was part of a string of poor results, with Atletico facing five defeats in their last eight games across all competitions. The most recent setback came in the form of a 2-0 loss to Cadiz in LaLiga, a team that had not secured a victory since September. Simeone acknowledged the team’s decline in performance after such a promising start to the season.
Atletico Madrid’s poor form has also affected their position in LaLiga, as they are now in a battle to secure a top-four finish. Athletic Club, who are currently in fifth place, are only two points behind Atletico. Despite their past success in the Champions League under Simeone’s leadership, Atletico has faced challenges in recent seasons, including an early elimination in the group stage last year.
Simeone’s Trust in the Team
When asked about his reasons for believing that Atletico can overcome Inter, Simeone expressed his confidence in the players and the team as a whole. He reiterated his unwavering support for the squad and his belief in their abilities to deliver a strong performance. Despite setbacks like the recent loss to Cadiz, Simeone remains optimistic about their chances in the upcoming Champions League fixture.
Star forward Antoine Griezmann, who has been crucial to Atletico’s Champions League campaign with five goals this season, suffered an ankle injury in the first leg against Inter. However, he has since returned to training and is expected to feature in the upcoming match. Simeone views Griezmann’s return as a boost to the team, providing additional tactical options and quality in their offensive play.
Atletico Madrid faces a challenging road ahead in the Champions League, but with Diego Simeone’s unwavering belief in the team and the return of key players like Antoine Griezmann, there is hope for a turnaround in their fortunes. The team will need to address their recent poor form and strive for consistency to overcome the obstacles in their path and progress further in the tournament.